Recommendations regarding Shock servicing

[Atomic Hooligan]

Hi Guys,

Long time listener, first time caller. I was hoping to get some advice/recommendations regarding suspension servicing. I have just found the Fox RP23 on my Mach 4 is leaking oil from the propedal switch, according to Dr. Google this is requires a full service not just replacing the air can o-ring. Do people have recommendations/experience with shops competent in doing this. I live in Melb, but would be happy to post interstate, as long as the turn around time was pretty quick (would like to do the yowie in 2 wks). I'd also be especially keen to hear about experiences with NSdynamics and Tekin and whether its money well spent and whether the increased cost translates to real world/noticeable improvements in ride quality. Thanks heaps in advance.

Cheers Aaron

 

[T-Rex]

Easy one - just send it to NSDynamics. Arguably the best in the business, and nice guys as well.

/close thread.

 

[Sanfran]

Sent mine to NSDynamics for a service/tune. Told them what I wanted. Got it back, it wasn't what I wanted? Rang them, they said thats the limit of an RP23, buy a CCDB?? They could have told me that when I asked them if they could do it beforehand! Would have ordered the CCDB instead. Played with my volume reducers, got it to being ok, had to get some use out of the money I lost to NSD.

If you're only after a service, try local, a service is easy and you should have local options down there. A tune? Well, I wasted my hard earned coin to NSD for improvements that I was told were achievable, that turned out wasn't.

Best money I spent was on the volume reducers and replacing the DU bushes with the new style bushes off Fox.

 

[merc-blue]

Go to Tekin if your in Melbourne,
Drop the whole bike of any they can help you with anything else you need as well
you can talk to the guys face-face to discuss expectations/cost, 2-3 day turn around.

If its leaking oil its going to cost you 200+ to fix so you may as well go to a specialist, as I understand it NSD, Tekin and Sola are about the same price and 99% of this sort of work is carried out by one of these three guys.

 

[driftking]

Sent mine to NSDynamics for a service/tune. Told them what I wanted. Got it back, it wasn't what I wanted? Rang them, they said thats the limit of an RP23, buy a CCDB?? They could have told me that when I asked them if they could do it beforehand! Would have ordered the CCDB instead. Played with my volume reducers, got it to being ok, had to get some use out of the money I lost to NSD.

If you're only after a service, try local, a service is easy and you should have local options down there. A tune? Well, I wasted my hard earned coin to NSD for improvements that I was told were achievable, that turned out wasn't.

Best money I spent was on the volume reducers and replacing the DU bushes with the new style bushes off Fox.

Hahaha sorry but thats so bad its funny. What crap service. Although I have to say you are the first person I have heard who had trouble with NS.

OP ill say send it to tekin, the cost of a fully service might not really be too much less than getting it tuned and serviced by them, they use better parts and tune it for bike and weight.

 

[teK--]

Melbourne? Go to Tekin they could turn it around in 1-2 days if parts are on hand.

Also depending on age, what spec of RP23 it is, and cost of repair might be worthwhile buying a new shock.

 

[Atomic Hooligan]

Melbourne? Go to Tekin they could turn it around in 1-2 days if parts are on hand.

Also depending on age, what spec of RP23 it is, and cost of repair might be worthwhile buying a new shock.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah I'm wondering if it is worth just replacing the shock, it's a circa 2010 fox RP23 non-kashima, so maybe I could possibly pick something up newer/better for only a few hundred more than a service from Tekin, plus despite all the positive things I have heard about Tekin and NS, i'm not sure whether i'd notice an improvement, up until it blew I was perfectly happy with the way the suspension was set-up. Perhaps a new factory tuned Fox shock would outperform an older performance tuned RP23.

 

[S.]

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah I'm wondering if it is worth just replacing the shock, it's a circa 2010 fox RP23 non-kashima, so maybe I could possibly pick something up newer/better for only a few hundred more than a service from Tekin, plus despite all the positive things I have heard about Tekin and NS, i'm not sure whether i'd notice an improvement, up until it blew I was perfectly happy with the way the suspension was set-up. Perhaps a new factory tuned Fox shock would outperform an older performance tuned RP23.

The difference between Performance and Factory series Float shocks is just the Kashima coating, which on rear shocks doesn't really make a big difference. A new Float CTD is actually slightly LESS reliable than the older RP23s, for no real benefit in most people's eyes. If you were happy with the way it was performing, replacing it isn't necessary, just get it serviced. The seal that blew in your RP23 eventually dies over time (usually a few years) from heat and pressure - the Float CTDs use the exact same seals in that location so aren't any different in that regard.

 

[NSDynamics]

Sent mine to NSDynamics for a service/tune. Told them what I wanted. Got it back, it wasn't what I wanted? Rang them, they said thats the limit of an RP23, buy a CCDB?? They could have told me that when I asked them if they could do it beforehand! Would have ordered the CCDB instead. Played with my volume reducers, got it to being ok, had to get some use out of the money I lost to NSD.

If you're only after a service, try local, a service is easy and you should have local options down there. A tune? Well, I wasted my hard earned coin to NSD for improvements that I was told were achievable, that turned out wasn't.

Best money I spent was on the volume reducers and replacing the DU bushes with the new style bushes off Fox.

Hey Sanfran,

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with NSDynamics. We strive to keep customer satisfaction high and hearing bad feedback always prompts us to do something about it. I know this service/tune was a couple of years ago now but we would like to offer you a service/tune on this, or any other shock you may now own for free. Feel free to call us on 07 3393 0562 if you would like to take us up on the offer.


Also as for the original question asked by Aaron, we have also heard many good things about Tekin. As they are close to you, go for it.

Hope this helps,

Aaron. NSDynamics

 

[teK--]

Hey Sanfran,

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with NSDynamics. We strive to keep customer satisfaction high and hearing bad feedback always prompts us to do something about it. I know this service/tune was a couple of years ago now but we would like to offer you a service/tune on this, or any other shock you may now own for free. Feel free to call us on 07 3393 0562 if you would like to take us up on the offer.


Also as for the original question asked by Aaron, we have also heard many good things about Tekin. As they are close to you, go for it.

Hope this helps,

Aaron. NSDynamics

That's pretty bloody good customer service.

 

[Atomic Hooligan]

Wow, customer service like that is hard to find these days, kudos to NSdynamics. Thanks for the input everyone, I'll speak to the guys at Tekin.

Cheers

 

[shwinboy]

In Melbourne I can't recommend Paul at http://astroboyracer.com.au/ highly enough. I had a 15 year long streak of shops and shock reps completely botching simple shock and fork servicing for me to the point I wouldn't buy something I couldn't service myself. Paul recently did an awesome rebuild on a blown RP23 for me breaking my 15 year long curse. It's like butter. He's a one man band who takes pride in his work. You won't be disappointed.

 

[driftking]

That's pretty bloody good customer service.

Better than pretty bloody good.
Props to NSD.

 

[Atomic Hooligan]

Go see Brad at Tekin Suspension

Thought I should write a quick update as good service always deserves recognition. I decided to drop my bike off to Brad at Tekin and just wanted to let people know what a great job he did. The bike feels awesome, hard to believe how crap the shock was running before. Turn around time of 1 day, and great pre and post sale customer service. So if your shock or forks require a service definitely give him a call, nice guy and very easy to talk to.

 

[redbruce]

Easy one - just send it to NSDynamics. Arguably the best in the business, and nice guys as well.

/close thread.

I'll argue (caveat - I havent used NS yet myself, haven't had the need because local supply excellent).


For Fox, given you are a Melbournian, Tekin.

http://www.tekinsuspension.com.au/

Although I believe they now work out of:

http://www.tekincycles.com/ in Northcote.

I have first hand experience with Tekin under Ken (the originator of the suspension business) and subsequently Rohan (who subsequently took over Tekin suspension) and it is a quality service. I believe Rohan is still involved with the amalgamated Tekin Cycle business.

Other go to service is Astroboyracer (http://astroboyracer.com.au/), also in Melbourne (Collingwood).

 

[fitzroybikeco]

+1 for paul at astroboyracer he us currently rebuilding one of mine.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

Happy to add to the list...

If you are Melbourne then Tekin or Astroboy Racer; Sydney then it is TBSM and Brisbane it is NS Dynamics. For anyone like me in the wilds of rural & regional SE Australia it is $20 postage for fork & shock to any of them.

This time, I gave my set to NS Dynamics (they are on their way back to me right now)...merely in the interests of sharing. Last time it was TBSM and they were cool too. Next time I might go back to Melbourne...

 

[driftking]

Happy to add to the list...

If you are Melbourne then Tekin or Astroboy Racer; Sydney then it is TBSM and Brisbane it is NS Dynamics. For anyone like me in the wilds of rural & regional SE Australia it is $20 postage for fork & shock to any of them.

This time, I gave my set to NS Dynamics (they are on their way back to me right now)...merely in the interests of sharing. Last time it was TBSM and they were cool too. Next time I might go back to Melbourne...

TBSM for shock servicing? Interesting.
No disrespect to tbsm, but as far as I am aware and I may be wrong they are not suspension specialist like the others. Personally Id rather send my shock from one side of Australia to the other to get to tekin than go to a local store who more than likely will just send the part to fox to service anyway (major damper services many tend to just send it off so you pay the middle man)

 

[T-Rex]

TBSM for shock servicing? Interesting.
No disrespect to tbsm, but as far as I am aware and I may be wrong they are not suspension specialist like the others. Personally Id rather send my shock from one side of Australia to the other to get to tekin than go to a local store who more than likely will just send the part to fox to service anyway (major damper services many tend to just send it off so you pay the middle man)

Simon who does their suspension work is a specialist and is very good. He's out on his own now, I believe TBSM still sends him their work. He's done a few bits of work for me over the years, he's another recommendation.

 

[driftking]

Simon who does their suspension work is a specialist and is very good. He's out on his own now, I believe TBSM still sends him their work. He's done a few bits of work for me over the years, he's another recommendation.

nice I wasn't aware they ever had a specialist in there. Well i guess now it still stands they send it out given he has moved. Do you know where he is now on his own?
Does he offer the same services that the others do? improved internals, custom tuning to rider and bike?